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Curtiss XP-62

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The Curtiss XP-62 was a prototype heavily armed, high-performance, single engine fighter aircraft built for the U.S. Army Air Corps by the Curtiss Wright Corporation. The terms of the contract, in accordance with a proposal of April 29, 1941, called for delivery of the first flight within the fifteen months of award, with a guaranteed maximum speed of 468 miles per hour at 27,000 feet. The aircraft was to feature an air-conditioned cockpit and either eight 20 mm cannon or twelve 0.50 inch machine guns. The first of two prototypes was designated XP-62 and the second XP-62A.

On August 2, 1941, the specifications were submitted for the XP-62 reducing the maximum speed to 448 m.p.h. with eight cannon armament and increasing the loaded weight by 1,537 lbs. During a project review of January 1, 1942 under findings of a study that the loaded weight be reduced by eliminating four cannon and removal of the propeller anti-icing equipment. On May 25, 1942 a contract for 100 P-62 fighters was awarded, but on July 27, 1942 the contract was terminated as it would affect deliveries of urgently needed Curtiss-built P-47 Thunderbolts.

Delays in delivery of the unique pressure-cabin supercharger and engine modifications delayed the first flight of the XP-62 until July 21, 1943. The XP-62A was canceled on September 21, 1943 and only a limited amount of flight testing was conducted with the XP-62. Owing to its low priority work progressed slowly and in the autumn 1942 the XP-62 was scrapped. Because of the insuffucient flight testing, full performance charactistics were not obtained.

Specifications (XP-62)

General characteristics

  • Crew: one, pilot
  • Length: 39 ft 6 in (12.04 m)
  • Wingspan: 53 ft 8 in (16.36 m)
  • Height: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
  • Wing area: 420 ft² (39.0 m²)
  • Empty: 11,773 lb (5,340 kg)
  • Loaded: 14,660 lb (6,650 kg)
  • Maximum takeoff: 16,651 lb (7,553 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× Wright R-3350-17 radial, 2,300 hp (1,716 kW)

Performance (estimated)

  • Maximum speed: 448 mph (721 km/h)
  • Range: 1,500 miles (2,414 km)
  • Service ceiling: 35,700 ft (10,884 m)
  • Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
  • Wing loading: 35 lb/ft² (171 kg/m²)
  • Power/mass: 0.16 hp/lb (0.26 kW/kg)

Armament (planned)

  • 4× 20 mm cannon

Reference

  • Green, William (1961). War Planes of the Second World War - Fighters (Vol 4). London: Macdonald.

Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: P-59 - P-60 - P-61 - XP-62 - P-63 - P-64 - XP-65

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